Capital Punishment and Catholicism :: Argumentative Persuasive Essays

Capital Punishment and Catholicism   2 sources cited   Among the major nations of the horse opera world, the United States is singular in still having the end penalty. After a five-year moratorium, from 1972 to 1977, capital punishment was reinstated in the United States courts. Objections to the practice have come from many another(prenominal) quarters, including the American Catholic bishops, who have rather consistently opposed the death penalty. The National Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1980 published a predominantly shun statement on capital punishment, approved by a majority vote of those present though not by the required two-thirds majority of the stallion conference (1). Pope John Paul II has at various times expressed his opposition to the practice, as have other Catholic leading in Europe.   Some Catholics, going beyond the bishops and the Pope, maintain that the death penalty, like abortion and euthanasia, is a violation of the right to life and an unauthorized usurpation by human beings of Gods sole lordship over life and death. Did not the Declaration of Independence, they ask, describe the right to life as unalienable?   While sociological and legal questions ineluctably impinge upon any such reflection, I am here addressing the subject as a theologian. At this level the question has to be answered primarily in terms of revelation, as it comes to us through Scripture and tradition, interpreted with the guidance of the ecclesiastical magisterium.   In the New Testament the right of the State to put criminals to death seems to be taken for granted. Jesus himself refrains from using violence. He rebukes his disciples for wishing to call down fire from heaven to punish the Samaritans for their lack of hospitality (Luke 955). after he admonishes Peter to put his sword in the scabbard rather than resist arrest (Matthew 2652). At no point, however, does Jesus deny that the State has place to exact capital punishment. In his debates with the Pharisees, Jesus cites with approval the apparently harsh commandment, He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him surely die (Matthew 154 Mark 710, referring to Exodus 2l17 cf. Leviticus 209). When Pilate calls attention to his authority to crucify him, Jesus points out that Pilates power comes to him from above-that is to say, from God (John 1911).

Appearance Vs. Reality :: essays research papers

Appearance vs. Reality in Hamlet To Be or Not to Be?Shakespe ars Hamlet is the tale of a young prince resolute to uncover thetruth about his fathers recent death. Hamlets uncle (and also the deceased kingsbrother), Claudius, marries his buzz off the queen, and therefore, takes the throne. In the send-off of the story, Hamlet is told by the apparition of his dead father that it wasClaudius who in fact murdered him. The theme that remains consistent throughout the calamity is appearance versus reality. The characters introduced to us throughout the playappear to be pure and honest, and in reality are infested with evil. They deceitfully hidebehind a mask of integrity. foursome main dishonest characters which are found to bedisguised with righteousness are Polonius, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and the freshlycr professed king Claudius. The first mental picture presented by these characters are ones oftruth, honor, and morality they are all plagued by evilness and lies in reality. T heirappearances serve as obstacles for Hamlet as he struggles to discover the orphic truth. The kings royal assistant, Polonius, has a great preoccupation with appearance. He continually gives the impression of being an affectionate and caring person. He isintroduced as a father who profoundly cares for his son, Laertes. Polonius speaks to Laerteswith advice which sounds sincere, yet in truth, is rehearsed, empty, and without feeling. He gives the advice to make others believe he is a strong, loving, role-model type of afather. He is similar to a politician. He speaks strong, influential words, but does notactually mean what he is saying sincerely in the least. Polonius grants his son his goodwillto leave Denmark And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry. This in a higher place all to thine own self be true,And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man. Farewell my blessing season this in thee (Hamlet 46). Within his public lecture to Laertes , Polonius advises him to not borrow from others, to remaintrue to himself, and not to lie. Polonius appears to be a caring and trusting father when infact he sends a spy after Laertes to follow and keep an eye on him. This demonstrates hisdistrust for his son. He is not the confident father in which he is shown to be. His speechwas rehearsed to give the effect that he actually cares and is trustworthy of his son. Polonius further adds to the theme of appearance versus reality when he orders hisAppearance Vs. Reality essays explore papers Appearance vs. Reality in Hamlet To Be or Not to Be?Shakespeares Hamlet is the tale of a young prince determined to uncover thetruth about his fathers recent death. Hamlets uncle (and also the deceased kingsbrother), Claudius, marries his mother the queen, and therefore, takes the throne. In thebeginning of the story, Hamlet is told by the apparition of his dead father that it wasClaudius who in fact murdered him. The theme that remains consist ent throughout thetragedy is appearance versus reality. The characters introduced to us throughout the playappear to be pure and honest, but in reality are infested with evil. They deceitfully hidebehind a mask of integrity. Four main dishonest characters which are found to bedisguised with righteousness are Polonius, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and the freshlycrowned king Claudius. The first impression presented by these characters are ones oftruth, honor, and morality they are all plagued by evilness and lies in reality. Theirappearances serve as obstacles for Hamlet as he struggles to discover the hidden truth. The kings royal assistant, Polonius, has a great preoccupation with appearance. He continually gives the impression of being an affectionate and caring person. He isintroduced as a father who deeply cares for his son, Laertes. Polonius speaks to Laerteswith advice which sounds sincere, yet in truth, is rehearsed, empty, and without feeling. He gives the advice to make other s believe he is a strong, loving, role-model type of afather. He is similar to a politician. He speaks strong, influential words, but does notactually mean what he is saying sincerely in the least. Polonius grants his son his blessingto leave Denmark And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry. This above all to thine own self be true,And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man. Farewell my blessing season this in thee (Hamlet 46). Within his speech to Laertes, Polonius advises him to not borrow from others, to remaintrue to himself, and not to lie. Polonius appears to be a caring and trusting father when infact he sends a spy after Laertes to follow and keep an eye on him. This demonstrates hisdistrust for his son. He is not the confident father in which he is shown to be. His speechwas rehearsed to give the effect that he actually cares and is trustworthy of his son. Polonius further adds to the theme of appearance versus reality when he orders his

Sense of Belonging Explored Through Literature Essay -- Literary Analy

The concept of belonging is deeply fused to humans interrelationships, with word meaning from some others being the key to a sense of belonging. Numerous texts reflect the fact that engaging in relationships with others, including varying groups and cultures, is integral to a feeling of belonging. However other texts present ideas that suggest identity is the most integral aspect of belonging, or that in fact an introspective alienation from others is necessary to belong. This essay will deal the importance of acceptance to belonging and also how other aspects hold equal value with reference to various texts, namely the poems This is My letter to the World and I had been hungry(p) all the Years by Emily Dickinson, the ar devilrk The Two Fridas by Frida Kahlo, and the film As it is in Heaven directed by Kay Pollak.Emily Dickinsons poem This is my Letter to the World, presents an exploration of the poets alienation from society and her simultaneous desire to connect with it, hence d isplaying her need to belong through connections to others. Dickinsons use of the pronouns, this and that in the first two lines of the poem immediately establishes Dickinson as an external entity isolated from society. This is further depicted in the contrast created between Dickinsons sweet countrymen and me where the two phrases physical isolation on separate lines exemplifies their disconnectedness and hence demonstrates Dickinsons alienation from the camaraderie con noned by countrymen. Further, in the line the simple news that nature told nature is personified to represent a Pantheistic God. As the simple news is symbolic of Dickinsons work, this places the poet as a vessel for nature and hence relegates Dickinson to a hig... ...nas lessons to Daniel, demonstrate reciprocal relationships which again represent the integral importance of inter-connections. Hence overall the film contrasts the idea of belonging through religion which stifles sense and identity, to human relati onships which are shown as a life-giving force providing belonging through acceptance and understanding. (318)Overall, all these texts display different aspects of belonging. While The Two Fridas and As it is in Heaven affirm that acceptance from others and within communities is essential to belonging, Dickinsons poetry overall suggests that identity is a more important aspect of belonging, and that in fact alienation from others can develop an inner belonging. Hence it can be seen that belonging is established through varying different mediums, and that acceptance is not solely its most important aspect.